Topps is bringing its Definitive brand to the NBA for the first time with 2025-26 Topps Definitive Basketball, a high-end release built around hard-signed autographs, premium game-used memorabilia, and a rookie class headlined by some of the most chased names in the hobby.
Definitive has already established itself as a luxury brand in other sports, and the basketball debut follows that same formula. Collectors can expect elegant card designs, framed signatures, oversized memorabilia pieces, and multi-player autograph combinations that lean heavily into star power.
The product also launches with a First Day Issue format. A Dutch Auction at Topps.com is scheduled for August 13, 2026, and those FDI boxes are advertised to guarantee six autographs. A standard pre-order is expected to follow the next week.
2025-26 Topps Definitive Basketball at a glance
- Brand: Topps Definitive Basketball
- Season: 2025-26
- Set size: 40-card base autograph lineup
- First Day Issue release date: August 13, 2026
- FDI box configuration: 1 pack, 8 cards
- Guaranteed in FDI box: 6 autographs
- Hobby pack, box, and case details: TBA
Print runs for non-serial-numbered cards had not been announced with the initial checklist release.
What defines the product
Definitive Basketball is centered on premium hits rather than traditional pack volume. The checklist mixes modern stars, all-time greats, and a deep rookie class across autograph, autograph relic, and memorabilia-driven subsets. Topps is also leaning into game-used content, which stands out in the current market and gives this debut set more appeal for collectors who want more than logo patches and sticker autographs.
The visual identity is what collectors would expect from the brand. Cards use clean framing, bold metallic styling, and space for large swatches and on-card signatures. Many of the headline cards involve framed autograph formats or letter-based memorabilia pieces that are built for case hits and display appeal.
Base autograph foundation
The initial autograph layer starts with Definitive Autographs and Definitive Rookies Autographs.
The 40-card Definitive Autographs checklist includes a strong mix of legends and current stars such as Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, Chet Holmgren, Jamal Murray, Franz Wagner, Bam Adebayo, Alex Sarr, Zaccharie Risacher, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Steve Nash, Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao Ming, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Tracy McGrady, Gary Payton, Amar'e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, Paul Pierce, Mitch Richmond, Steve Kerr, and Rasheed Wallace.
The 30-card rookie autograph lineup is anchored by Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Asa Newell, Cedric Coward, Collin Murray-Boyles, Derik Queen, Egor Demin, Kasparas Jakucionis, Nolan Traore, Yang Hansen, Walter Clayton Jr., Tyrese Proctor, Noah Penda, Noa Essengue, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James, Maxime Raynaud, Chaz Lanier, and Yanic Konan-Niederhauser.
Major autograph subsets
Beyond the base autograph layer, Topps loaded the release with multiple themed autograph collections.
Definitive Markers Autographs
This 19-card group features a compact but powerful checklist with Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Dennis Rodman, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden, John Stockton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Oscar Robertson, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Victor Wembanyama.
Definitive Moments Collection Autographs
This 30-card set blends established stars with rookies, including Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, James Harden, Tyrese Haliburton, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Bam Adebayo, Jamal Murray, Josh Giddey, Chris Paul, Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, Cedric Coward, Collin Murray-Boyles, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Yang Hansen, and Egor Demin.
Decisive Signatures and Defining Images Autographs
These parallel autograph concepts stay focused on premium names. Decisive Signatures includes Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Cooper Flagg, Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Stephon Castle, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Stephen Curry, Bam Adebayo, Alex Sarr, Dylan Harper, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Zaccharie Risacher. Defining Images brings in additional names such as Derrick White, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ajay Mitchell, and Anfernee Simons.
Noble Ink and framed autograph collections
Noble Ink stretches to 39 cards and includes an especially strong blend of eras. Key names include Alonzo Mourning, Clyde Drexler, Dirk Nowitzki, David Robinson, Dennis Rodman, Dwyane Wade, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Garnett, Larry Bird, LeBron James in multiple team variations, Magic Johnson, Manu Ginobili, Nikola Jokic, Oscar Robertson, Robert Parish, Shaquille O'Neal, Tony Parker, and Walt Frazier.
Framed content is a major draw here. Framed Legends Autograph Collection includes names such as Dominique Wilkins, Gary Payton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jason Williams, John Stockton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Paul Pierce, Rasheed Wallace, Steve Nash, Tracy McGrady, and Dwight Howard. Framed Veterans Autograph Collection adds active stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, and Tyrese Haliburton. Framed Rookies Autograph Collection is deep, with 40 names led by Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel, Asa Newell, Derik Queen, Egor Demin, Jase Richardson, Liam McNeeley, Nolan Traore, Yang Hansen, and Yanic Konan-Niederhauser.
Dual and triple autograph chase cards
Collectors looking for centerpiece cards will find them in the multi-signed sections.
- Dual Autographs include Dirk Nowitzki/Steve Nash, Karl Malone/John Stockton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Magic Johnson, James Harden/Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic/Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dennis Rodman/Steve Kerr, Paolo Banchero/Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson/Tyrese Haliburton, and Jalen Williams/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- Triple Autographs include Dirk Nowitzki/Michael Finley/Steve Nash, Tyrese Haliburton/Cade Cunningham/Jalen Brunson, Shaquille O'Neal/Hakeem Olajuwon/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Giannis Antetokounmpo/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Nikola Jokic, and Jalen Williams/Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Chet Holmgren.
- Dual Rookie Autographs include Cooper Flagg/Dylan Harper, Cooper Flagg/Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg/Yang Hansen, Ace Bailey/Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey/Walter Clayton Jr., Egor Demin/Nolan Traore, Kasparas Jakucionis/Ben Saraf, Yang Hansen/Khaman Maluach, and Joan Beringer/Noa Essengue.
- Triple Rookie Autographs include Dylan Harper/Cooper Flagg/Ace Bailey, Kon Knueppel/Cooper Flagg/Dylan Harper, Dylan Harper/Yang Hansen/Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel/Khaman Maluach/Cooper Flagg, and Ace Bailey/Dylan Harper/Cedric Coward.
Autograph relic highlights
Autographed memorabilia is one of the strongest parts of the checklist.
Definitive Autograph Relics runs 86 cards and uses multiple versions for stars such as Bam Adebayo, Brandon Miller, Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Chris Paul, Evan Mobley, Jalen Brunson, James Harden, Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Williams, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher, and LeBron James. Other names include Allen Iverson, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Larry Bird, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Definitive Rookie Patch Autographs goes 42 cards deep and gives rookie collectors two versions each for names like Ace Bailey, Asa Newell, Ben Saraf, Cedric Coward, Cooper Flagg, Collin Murray-Boyles, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, Danny Wolf, Egor Demin, Joan Beringer, Jase Richardson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Liam McNeeley, Maxime Raynaud, Nique Clifford, Nolan Traore, Yang Hansen, and Yanic Konan-Niederhauser.
Authentic Relic Autographs adds 32 veterans and stars, including Anthony Edwards, Allen Iverson, Anfernee Simons, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Ingram, Brandon Miller, Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Franz Wagner, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, James Harden, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Williams, Kevin Durant, Karl Malone, Larry Bird, Lauri Markkanen, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Shaquille O'Neal, Tyrese Maxey, Victor Wembanyama, and Zaccharie Risacher.
Opening Act Rookie Relic Autographs is the freshman-specific insert that many collectors will target early. That set includes Ace Bailey, Asa Newell, Ben Saraf, Cedric Coward, Cooper Flagg, Collin Murray-Boyles, Dylan Harper, Drake Powell, Danny Wolf, Egor Demin, Joan Beringer, Jase Richardson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Kon Knueppel, Maxime Raynaud, Nolan Traore, Rasheer Fleming, Will Riley, Yang Hansen, and Yanic Konan-Niederhauser. The product description notes these cards are numbered to 35, with lower-numbered parallels offering prime patches and some inscribed autographs.
Definable Relic Autographs is another premium veteran-driven format with Anthony Edwards, Allen Iverson, Bam Adebayo, Cade Cunningham, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Evan Mobley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Williams, Kevin Durant, Karl Malone, Larry Bird, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Shaquille O'Neal, Tyrese Maxey, and Victor Wembanyama. The short Definable Rookie Relic Autographs checklist contains Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel.
Memorabilia sets and nameplate cards
Definitive does not stop at autographs. The memorabilia side includes several thick-card concepts built around premium swatches and collectible build-outs.
Definitive Patch Collection includes stars such as Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Austin Reaves, Bam Adebayo, Brandon Miller, Cade Cunningham, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler III, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Jamal Murray, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns, LaMelo Ball, Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Paolo Banchero, Stephen Curry, Tyrese Maxey, Victor Wembanyama, and Zion Williamson.
Definitive Rookie Patch Collection includes Ace Bailey, Asa Newell, Carter Bryant, Cedric Coward, Cooper Flagg, Collin Murray-Boyles, Dylan Harper, Derik Queen, Egor Demin, Hugo Gonzalez, Jeremiah Fears, Kasparas Jakucionis, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Liam McNeeley, Maxime Raynaud, Nolan Traore, Tre Johnson III, and VJ Edgecombe.
Definitive Relic Collection is 100 cards strong and spreads across the league with names like Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson, Alex Sarr, Brandon Miller, Chet Holmgren, Evan Mobley, Franz Wagner, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, James Harden, Jalen Johnson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Jamal Murray, Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, LaMelo Ball, Lauri Markkanen, Matas Buzelis, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Stephon Castle, Shaedon Sharpe, Tyrese Maxey, Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher, and Zion Williamson.
The signature memorabilia concept may be Definitive Nameplate. These cards break game-worn nameplates into individual letter cards. Nameplate I focuses on established stars, including Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Paolo Banchero, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyrese Maxey, and Victor Wembanyama. Nameplate II shifts toward another blend of stars and rookies, including Ace Bailey, Cedric Coward, Cooper Flagg, Derik Queen, Hugo Gonzalez, Jeremiah Fears, Kevin Durant, Kon Knueppel, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Tre Johnson III, and VJ Edgecombe.
Best team set highlights
Several franchises stand out on the team side.
- San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, David Robinson, George Gervin, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, plus strong rookie auto and memorabilia depth.
- Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg headlines the rookie chase, while Dirk Nowitzki anchors the veteran side. The team also gets a Dirk/Finley/Nash triple auto and several Flagg multi-rookie combinations.
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams appear across autograph relics, framed autos, Noble Ink, and major combo cards.
- Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O'Neal create one of the deepest legacy-driven team collections in the product.
- Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Hugo Gonzalez keep Boston well represented across eras.
- New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns lead the modern side, with Stephon Marbury, John Starks, Walt Frazier, and JR Smith adding variety.
- Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner headline an excellent active-player checklist, while Dwight Howard and Anfernee Hardaway strengthen the all-time side.
- Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Dwyane Wade, Kasparas Jakucionis, Alonzo Mourning, and even a LeBron James Miami Noble Ink card give Heat collectors plenty to chase.
- Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey drives the rookie demand, while John Stockton and Karl Malone give the brand a strong classic pairing, including a dual autograph.
Key names collectors will be chasing
The early hobby conversation around this set should center on Victor Wembanyama, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Paolo Banchero, Jayson Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Chet Holmgren, and Kevin Durant.
Collectors who prefer rookie upside have multiple lanes to pursue, from base rookie autographs to framed rookies, rookie patch autographs, Opening Act relic autos, and the multi-player rookie autograph cards. Collectors focused on established stars will likely gravitate to the framed formats, Nameplate cards, Markers Autographs, and the deeper autograph relic checklists.
Checklist snapshot by category
- Definitive Autographs: 40 cards
- Definitive Rookies Autographs: 30 cards
- Definitive Markers Autographs: 19 cards
- Definitive Moments Collection Autographs: 30 cards
- Dual Rookie Autographs: 15 cards
- Triple Rookie Autographs: 5 cards
- Dual Autographs: 10 cards
- Triple Autographs: 5 cards
- Legendary Autograph Collection: 15 cards
- Decisive Signatures: 30 cards
- Defining Images Autographs: 30 cards
- Definitive Signs: 30 cards
- Noble Ink: 39 cards
- Framed Legends Autograph Collection: 30 cards
- Framed Rookies Autograph Collection: 40 cards
- Framed Veterans Autograph Collection: 29 cards
- Definitive Autograph Relics: 86 cards
- Definitive Rookie Patch Autographs: 42 cards
- Authentic Relic Autographs: 32 cards
- Opening Act Rookie Relic Autographs: 20 cards
- Definable Relic Autographs: 22 cards
- Definable Rookie Relic Autographs: 2 cards
- Definitive Patch Collection: 56 cards
- Definitive Rookie Patch Collection: 38 cards
- Definitive Relic Collection: 100 cards
- Definitive Nameplate I: 100 cards
- Definitive Nameplate II: 84 cards
For a debut release, 2025-26 Topps Definitive Basketball arrives with a checklist that is broad enough to satisfy team collectors, star chasers, rookie speculators, and high-end memorabilia collectors alike, with the First Day Issue format set to be the opening point of entry on August 13.